Home Office

Police: Biometrics

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many facial images have been added to the Police National Database since the High Court ruling in the case of R (RMC and FJ) v MPS [2012] EWHC 1681(Admin).

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Since 22nd June 2012 - 12 million custody images, which may include images other than of faces, have been uploaded by forces onto the PND. Of these, as of 15th July 2016 - 9,941,293 have been enrolled in the facial image recognition gallery and are searchable using automated facial recognition software.

Police: Biometrics

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they consider a facial digital image or photograph to be a biometric identifier.

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they define the lowest quality photograph that can be used as a biometric identifier.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: • Whilst a digital facial image can be used to help identify individuals to a high degree of probability, this is dependent on (a) quality of the biometric and (b) quality of the algorithm, which is rapidly developing in this area. There are no common standards for digital facial images, but we generally use ICAO standards for passport and immigration purposes. We will publish a Biometrics Strategy covering our use of digital facial images in due course.

Refugees: Families

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the British Red Cross report Not So Straightforward and its campaign to reunite refugee families, Torn Apart.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are reviewing our process for dealing with applications for refugee family reunion in consultation with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Justice. We are working closely with the British Red Cross and are considering the recommendations made in the Not So Straightforward report in detail.We have now improved our guidance on processing family reunion applications so that it is clear, consistent and accessible. We intend to publish this in the next few weeks. We have also committed to redesigning the application form to ensure that applicants better understand the process and what is required of them.There are no plans to extend the family reunion criteria as called for in the British Red Cross Torn Apart campaign. The current family reunion policy meets our international obligations and strikes the right balance. Where family members cannot meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules, such as in the case of an 18 year old applying to join their refugee parents in the UK, we consider whether there are exceptional circumstances or compassionate reasons to justify granting entry clearance outside the Rules.

Hate Crime: Nottinghamshire

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the authority of Nottinghamshire Police to categorise wolf-whistling as a hate crime rather than a public nuisance; and whether they consider that such a decision may derogate from the seriousness of classification of hate crime.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The five strands of monitored hate crime (race, religion, sexual orientation transgender identity and disability) are the minimum categories that police officers and staff are ex-pected to record. There are, however, many other groups in society who have been targeted with hostility and crime. Any specific incidents of Hate Crime are an operational matter for the police.

Passports

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have plans to (1) change the colour of the current British passport from maroon to dark blue, and (2) remove the words "European Union" from British passports.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: There are no immediate plans for changes to the format or colour of the UK passport. Parliament will be informed of any changes to the passport following UK withdrawal from the European Union

Refugees

Baroness Lister of Burtersett: To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they expect to publish the evaluation of the moving on period for those granted refugee status, announced during the passage of the Immigration Act 2016.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We are working closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that new recognised refugees apply promptly for any welfare benefit for which they may be eligible and receive the first payment of any benefit for which they qualify before their Home Office support ends.We plan to publish our evaluation of this work later this year and will bring forward a change to the current 28-day move-on period if the evaluation shows that to be necessary.

Firearms

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have received from interested parties about the recent EU deactivation specification as it applies to deactivated historical firearms as defined in the Policing and Crime Bill.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The EU Implementing Regulation 2015/2403 on deactivation standards which came into force on 8 April 2016 sets new technical specifications for deactivated weapons.Clause 114 of the Policing and Crime Bill creates a specific new offence to sell or gift a weapon that has not been deactivated to the new EU Deactivation Standard.We have received representations from a small number of interested parties who have been concerned that the EU specification is not as effective as the previous UK standards. In addition, we were contacted by members of re-enactment and living history societies wishing to travel to France with their firearms to participate in commemorative events linked to the D-Day landings and the Battle of the Somme.We have published guidance on the Regulation which includes requirements for additional measures for deactivated weapons brought into the UK. These measures, which go beyond the EU specification in a small number of areas, were introduced to align the requirements more closely with the previous UK standards. We have also worked with the UK Proof Houses to ensure that certification to the new standards is prioritised for re-enactors wishing to travel with their firearms.

Human Trafficking: Children

Lord McColl of Dulwich: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the remarks by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, Karen Bradley MP (HC Deb, cols 33WH–54WH), on independent advocates for trafficked children, (1) what is the timetable for establishing early adopter sites of independent child trafficking advocates, (2) what geographic areas will constitute a site for these trials, and (3) what mechanisms will be put in place for monitoring the outcomes of children who received an advocate in the first phase of these trials.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Government is in the process of identifying a provider of independent child trafficking advocates and three early adopter sites.To ensure we assess the revised independent child trafficking advocates model appropriately, early adopter sites will cover areas with different demographics as well as having a range of experiences of working with trafficked children.Officials are developing an outcomes framework with support from a wide selection of academics and professionals who have expertise and experience in working with local authorities and trafficked children.

Deportation: Young People

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to make an assessment of the report by the Refugee Support Network After Return, in particular with a view to preventing hardship and persecution of 18-year-old refugees sent back to their country of origin and to gaining benefits for the UK from the education of those individuals by not insisting on return in all cases.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: We do not send refugees back to their country of origin. Those who no longer need protection are not refugees and are expected to apply under other provisions of the Immigration Rules if they want to stay in the UK.We have noted the content of the report but believe that the current policy framework meets the needs of this group and strikes the correct balance. Decision makers take into account the specific vulnerabilities of individuals when considering applications for further leave in addition to considering whether there are other exceptional or compassionate reasons to justify granting leave.

Radicalism

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 June (HL Deb, col 1352), what assessment they have made of whether action to combat the threat of terrorism could be helped by a clearer use of language, for example by explaining the actual meaning of words such as "extremism", "radicalisation", and "fundamentalism".

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The 2011 Prevent strategy and statutory guidance on the exercise of the Prevent duty both contain glossaries which explain the meaning of terms used.

Radicalism

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the reply by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 27 June (HL Deb, col 1352), whether when they use the words "extremism", "radicalisation" and "fundamentalism" they are usually referring to extreme, radical or fundamental Islam; and if not, to what they are referring.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: As part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy (CONTEST), the Prevent strategy was revised in 2011 to address all forms of terrorism.

Counter-terrorism

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, under their counter-terrorism policy, it is acceptable to debate the nature of, and to criticise, all religions, including Islam, even if those arguments or criticisms offend adherents to those religions; and if not, whether they plan to clarify any limits on freedom of speech that that policy might impose.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: As the Prevent Strategy explicitly states the Government is absolutely committed to protecting freedom of speech. Section 31 of the Counter-Terrorism & Security Act 2015, for example includes specific protection for universities in this regard, and statutory guidance for schools makes the Prevent duty affirm our commitment that schools should be safe spaces in which children and young people can understand and discuss sensitive issues.

Civil Disorder: Greater London

Lord Rogan: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what estimate they have made of the cost of policing the disturbance in Hyde Park and Marble Arch on the evening of 19 July.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: The Home Office has not made any such estimate. The costs of individual deployments are operational matters for individual chief constables, working with their democratically elected Police and Crime Commissioners.The 2016-17 funding settlement for the police ensures that the police have adequate funding to do their work.

Europol

Lord Kilclooney: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how much the UK contributes to Europol each year; what assessment they have made of whether the role of Europol will be affected by Brexit; and whether the statement by the Director of Europol, Mr Rob Wainwright, that he was "optimistic" that the re-unification of Ireland would not lead to terrorist activity reflects the policy of the Government and of Europol.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Europol is funded from the general budget of the EU, to which the UK contributes, with UK funding of Europol amounting to £8.4 million per year.The UK remains a member of the EU until the exit process is concluded. The UK’s future relationship with Europol will be one issue that will be considered as part of the Government’s overall planning for leaving the EU’.The Europol Director, Rob Wainwright, is not a UK civil servant and does not speak on behalf of the UK Government.

Visas: Overseas Students

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what avenue of complaint members of the public have if they believe that government information, such as that provided in the document Tier 4 sponsors whose status appeared as revoked from 2010 to 2014, is not adequately clear, precise, or accessible.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Information about UK Visas and Immigration’s complaint process, including both electronic and postal contact routes and guidance is available online at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about/complaints-procedure.

HM Treasury

Financial Institutions

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proposed EU-wide recovery and resolution frameworks for failed central counterparties, and whether in their assessment there are any outstanding issues.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The government welcomes the European Commission’s commitment to publish a legislative proposal on a recovery and resolution framework for central counterparties (CCPs) and will assess the proposals once published. Given the global nature of CCPs, the recovery and resolution framework will need to take into account ongoing work by the Financial Stability Board, the Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).

London Stock Exchange: Deutsche Borse

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the consequences for financial stability of combining four large central counterparties (CCPs), LCH.Clearnet Ltd, LCH.Clearnet SA, Eurex and CC&G, when the London Stock Exchange and Deutsche Borse merge; whether adequate recovery and resolution frameworks will be in place for each of these CCPs; and whether those frameworks will be ring-fenced from each other.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: LCH.Clearnet Ltd, LCH.Clearnet SA, Eurex Clearing and CC&G are separate CCPs regulated under European Regulation No 648/2012 (EMIR) by their respective regulators. The London Stock Exchange Group and Deutsche Borse have publicly stated their intention that “[t]he existing regulatory framework of all regulated entities within the Combined Group would remain unchanged” following the merger. Once notified by the companies of their proposal to merge, the Bank of England will assess the proposal for a change in control of LCH.Clearnet Ltd in line with the criteria set out in EMIR.

International Monetary Fund

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty’s Government how many International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports have, since 2006, (1) commented on the state of the UK economy; (2) commented on the state of the UK economy and have been shown to be erroneous; and (3) made comments on the state of the UK economy that the IMF have had to revise or retract due to the inaccuracy of the forecast.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The information requested in relation to the evaluation of comments and forecasts about the UK could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF produce a report evaluating the forecasts of the organisation and the most recent one was published in 2014. The UK economy is assessed by the IMF on an annual basis as part of the Article IV process. The IMF also produce quarterly forecasts for the UK economy in their World Economic Outlook (WEO) reports and WEO Updates. Article IV reports and World Economic Outlooks and Updates are readily available on the IMF website and include recent revisions to forecasts.

Local Government Finance

Lord Bird: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the recommendations of (1) the report published by the Association of Chief Executives of Voluntary Organisations Remaking the State, and (2) the report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation The Cost of the Cuts, what assessment they have made of the impact of the cuts to preventative services over the course of the last Parliament.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: Preventative services can cover a wide range of areas, including adult and children’s social care, public health, crime, and homelessness. The Government has continually given local authorities more powers and flexibility, so they can target local services more effectively, because local authorities are best placed to determine how to deliver services in the light of local circumstances and available resources. Indeed, expenditure on homelessness prevention has for example increased by 83% between 2010 and 2015. Over the current spending review period, local government income sources like council tax receipts and business rates are forecast to increase. Overall, local government spending spending is forecast to be broadly flat in cash terms. Within this:Homelessness prevention funding for local authorities through the local government finance settlement is protected totalling £315 million by 2019/20.Funding for Disabled Facilities Grant has doubled to over £500 million by 2019-20, which would fund around 85,000 home adaptations that year. We expect this to prevent 8,500 people from needing to go into a care home in 2019-20.New measures announced at the spending review will mean a further £3.5bn for social care by the end of the Parliament.Total local government spending continues to include over £1bn each year for early intervention. The Government is also continuing to invest in key initiatives for children, including the Healthy Child and Troubled Families programmes. The latter has so far helped turn around the lives of over 100,000 of the hardest to reach families and will work with up to 400,000 more during this Parliament.

ARM: Softbank

Lord Myners: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have secured any commitments from SoftBank to avoid taking action through royalty payments or increased borrowing costs that would reduce or eliminate corporation tax payments made by ARM Holdings.

Lord O'Neill of Gatley: The government is committed to ensuring that corporation tax applies to profits generated from UK activities. It has taken a number of steps at both a domestic and international level to achieve this, including recently announced measures to protect the UK tax base from the payment of interest and royalties to overseas companies.The government is not able to comment on how these steps will apply to individual taxpayers.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Bangladesh: Radicalism

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of links between the reported recent upsurge of jihadist violence in Bangladesh and Zakir Naik’s television channel Peace TV; whether they have discussed with the government of Bangladesh the reasons why it has banned Peace TV broadcasts; whether they have discussed its content with the government of Dubai from where it broadcasts; and whether they have established the veracity of the claims that Zakir Naik has received substantial financial support from sources in the UK to fund his broadcasts.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: As with many other countries, Bangladesh has suffered from an increase in violent extremism in recent years. In part this may be motivated by broadcasts and online material of an extremist nature. The British Government has not discussed Peace TV with either the Government of Bangladesh or the Government of Dubai. However, we are in regular dialogue with the Government of Bangladesh about how we can assist and share best practice in combating extremism and in understanding the root causes of why young people in particular are vulnerable to such messaging. In November 2015, the former Prime Minister, my Right Hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), commissioned a review into the funding of Islamist extremism in the UK. The review will improve our understanding of how extremists operating in the UK sustain their activities.

Bangladesh: Religious Freedom

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of reports of the dousing with gasoline and setting alight of a Catholic woman in the village of Kajura, what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh and its representatives in London about the protection of atheists, moderate Muslims and religious minorities in Bangladesh and the bringing to justice of those responsible for recent reported killings and violent attacks.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We are in regular contact with the Bangladesh government about extremism, human rights and a range of other issues. The former Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron) most recently spoke to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire) raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers.In September 2015 the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief visited Bangladesh. We urge the Bangladesh government to implement the recommendations in his report, which include a call for the government to “protect the vibrant civil society and pluralistic society in Bangladesh”.

Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference

Lord Cashman: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the Equal Rights Coalition, which was agreed at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The establishment of the Equal Rights Coalition, to which the United Kingdom was pleased to become a signatory at its launch at the Global LGBTI Human Rights Conference in Montevideo (13-15 July), is a positive step. Her Majesty’s Government believes that the Equal Rights Coalition has the potential to become a useful forum for exchanging ideas and best practice and for advocating progress in LGB&T rights. The Government looks forward to the further elaboration of the Coalition’s objectives in the coming months and supports the aim of widening its membership.

Pakistan: Religious Freedom

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the current level of violence against Hindus in Pakistan.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We remain concerned by ongoing reports of the persecution of the Hindu community in Pakistan. These include incidents of abduction, forced conversion and the forced marriage of Hindu women to Muslim men. We regularly raise our concerns about the treatment of religious minorities, including Hindus, with the Government of Pakistan. The former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond), pressed Pakistan to guarantee the rights of all its citizens, including minority religious communities, during his visit to Islamabad in March. We continue to urge Pakistan to honour in practice its human rights obligations, including on freedom of religion or belief, and to uphold the rule of law.

Bangladesh: Religious Freedom

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of the human rights situation in Bangladesh, especially in relation to the right to freedom of religion or belief.

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Bangladesh about human rights violations against Hindus and bringing to justice those responsible for the destruction of temples and other places of worship.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Our assessment is that the rise in extremist attacks has increased pressure on religious minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh.The former Prime Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Witney (Mr Cameron), most recently talked to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh about the importance of countering extremism in the margins of the G7 meeting in Japan on 27 May. The former Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for East Devon (Mr Swire), raised this with Foreign Minister Ali on 5 July. The British High Commissioner regularly discusses these issues with Bangladesh government ministers.

Islamic State

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to participate in the conference about the attacks on Yazidis, Christians and others by ISIS organised by the US State Department in Washington DC on 29 July; if so, who will represent them and whether whilst attending that conference they will explain why they have not supported the genocide declarations passed by the House of Commons and the US Congress.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The UK will attend the State Department Consultation on Threats to Religious and Ethnic Minorities under Daesh on 28 and 29 July. It will be represented by a senior official from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The consultation will be used to discuss what countries are doing to protect minorities under Daesh and what more can be done. As the Foreign Secretary, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Mr Johnson) made clear during his visit to Washington on 21 July, the Government is fully committed to working with international partners to ensure Daesh is held to account for its crimes.

Islamic State

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they now recognise that a genocide is underway against minorities in Syria and Iraq; and whether the opinion set out in The Sunday Telegraph on 27 March that ISIS "are engaged in what can only be called genocide of the poor Yazidis" by the new Foreign Secretary reflects their official position.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: This Government shares the House of Commons’ condemnation of Daesh atrocities against all civilians, including Christians, Mandeans, Yazidis, and other minorities, as well as the majority Muslim population in Iraq and Syria who continue to bear the brunt of Daesh’s brutality. It is a long-standing Government policy that any judgements on whether genocide has occurred are a matter for the international judicial system rather than governments or other non-judicial bodies. Our approach is to seek an end to all violations, and to prevent their further escalation, irrespective of whether these violations fit the definition of specific international crimes. We are fully committed to working internationally to ensure Daesh is held to account for its crimes. Ultimately, the best way of preventing future atrocities is to defeat Daesh and its violent ideology. That is why the UK is playing a leading role in the Global Coalition of more than 66 countries and international organisations united to defeat Daesh.

Omar al-Bashir

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the government of Rwanda about the visit to that country by Omar al Bashir, President of Sudan, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Rwanda is not a State party to the International Criminal Court (ICC). It is important that fugitives from international justice do not enjoy impunity and we note the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR 1593) has urged all States to cooperate fully with the ICC and its Prosecutor with regards to the situation in Darfur. We continue to follow closely developments in the ICC, including the level of States’ cooperation with the Court, and will consider further measures as appropriate.

Omar al-Bashir

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have held with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth about recent visits to Rwanda and Uganda by Omar al Bashir, President of Sudan, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for genocide and crimes against humanity.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We have not held any discussions with the Secretary General of the Commonwealth on this matter. However we continue to believe that State cooperation, in particular with respect to enforcement of arrest warrants is vital for the International Criminal Court to be effective in fulfilling its mandate to achieve justice for the victims of atrocities. We look forward to future meetings and discussions with the Secretary General on shared priorities for the Commonwealth.

Crimes against Humanity

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what consideration they have given to the imposition of sanctions and penalties on countries that host visits by those indicted for genocide or crimes against humanity such as Omar al Bashir, President of Sudan; and what discussions they have had with other signatories to the creation of the International Criminal Court about that issue.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has an established procedure for dealing with instances of non-cooperation and reports regularly to the UN Security Council on this matter. We continue to follow closely developments in the ICC, including the level of States’ cooperation with the Court, and will consider further measures as appropriate.

Zimbabwe: Politics and Government

Lord Oates: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 14 July (HL1012) in which they stated that the IMF "noted Zimbabwe's good progress and encouraged further reforms", what policies or actions they classify as examples of Zimbabwe's good progress on either economic or political reform.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: Following its May 2016 Article IV Consultation with Zimbabwe, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that “despite the adverse environment, the authorities have reduced the fiscal deficit in both 2014 and 2015. They have started to rationalise public expenditures by implementing recommendations from the 2015 civil service audit. They are also amending the Public Financial Management and Procurement Acts. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has taken measures to restore confidence in the financial sector. All banks in operations now have capital buffers above the minimum requirements”. The IMF assessment did not cover political reform.

Saudi Arabia: Religious Freedom

The Lord Bishop of Coventry: To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the levels of discrimination experienced by Shia citizens in Saudi Arabia in the fields of public education, government employment and religious freedom.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: We frequently raise religious freedom as part of our dialogue with the Saudi authorities on a wide range of human rights issues, including freedom of thought, conscience and religion. We pursue this dialogue though a variety of means, including diplomatic channels and Ministerial visits. The Saudi Arabian authorities are encouraging reforms at a pace that is acceptable to Saudi society.

Department of Health

Strategic Projects Team

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the National Audit Office investigation into the collapse of the Uniting Care Partnership Contract in Cambridge and Peterborough, whether they plan to dismantle the Strategic Projects Team.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the National Audit Office (NAO) investigation into the collapse of the Uniting Care Partnership Contract in Cambridge and Peterborough, whether they intend to hold to account (1) the Strategic Projects Team, (2) Monitor, and (3) NHS England, for the failings identified in the NAO's report.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the National Audit Office investigation into the collapse of the Uniting Care Partnership Contract in Cambridge and Peterborough, what further reviews are being undertaken into the circumstances of the failure, and whether the outcomes of those reviews will be published.

Lord Prior of Brampton: The Department welcomes the National Audit Office (NAO) report. Decisions about the Strategic Projects Team (SPT) are, however, for NHS England. Following an internal review and the NAO report, NHS England identified concerns about the work of the SPT. As a result, the SPT will close and all its ongoing commitments will be reviewed with a view to bringing them to a conclusion. NHS Improvement advises that it also welcomes the NAO report and is working closely with NHS England and the Department to consider assurance processes for such complex transactions. NHS Improvement further advises that its focus since May has been liaison with the NAO on its report and joint consideration with NHS England of the assurance issues raised. NHS England confirms that the NAO investigation supports the findings of its previously published independent review. Before the NAO investigation, NHS England had already commissioned a follow-up review focusing on the role of external advisors, the effectiveness of the Gateway review process, and the role of the clinical commissioning group leadership and governing body. This work continues and NHS England expects to publish findings later this summer. More widely, NHS England has been undertaking assessments of current and planned novel contracts and is developing an assurance framework for contracts of this sort. This is being informed by the findings of the Uniting Care reviews.